Roads of Spain
Spain, with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and landscapes, is not just a country to be visited; it's a country to be experienced on the open road. From the buzzing plazas of Madrid to the serene villages of Andalusia, every corner of Spain hides a story waiting to be discovered.
Imagine steering through Sa Calobra Road in Mallorca, often likened to a wet strand of spaghetti dropped on the floor. With its twists, turns, and unparalleled views, it’s a marvel of engineering set amidst nature's grandeur. Then there's the ascent to Pico del Veleta, a journey that doesn’t just climb mountains but touches the sky, making it Europe’s highest paved road.
Drive further and let the road to Formentor Lighthouse in Mallorca mesmerize you with its coastal charms. Each turn is a portrait of the sea meeting the land in a passionate embrace. Meanwhile, the adrenaline junkies might find their calling in Alto de l’Angliru, nestled in Asturias. This challenging ascent has been the playground for many cycling legends, testing their mettle against its grueling gradient.
For a more rhythmic experience, embark on GC-200 Road, a symphony of 365 curves, each echoing a day of the year. As you navigate this sinuous stretch, it offers panoramas that seem painted by the gods themselves.
As you cruise these Spanish roads, each kilometer unravels a tale, a flavor, or a melody of this vibrant land. So, rev up your engines and let Spain's spectacular routes guide you through a journey of soulful discoveries and unforgettable vistas.
Driving the paved road to Puerto de Izaña
Puerto de Izaña is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,263m (7,424ft) above sea level, located in Tenerife on the Canary Islands of Spain. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
The Brutal Climb to Peña Escrita in Granada with 27% Gradients
Peña Escrita is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,175m (3,854ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. The climb is simply terrible, featuring gradients going up to 27%.
Los Machucos is one of the steepest roads in Spain (31%)
Los Machucos is a mountain pass at an elevation of 880m (2,887ft) above the sea level, located in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria, in Spain. It’s one of the steepest roads that a Spanish bike race has ever tackled, where you ride directly uphill over a huge rock. The climb is brutal, with gradients reaching up to 31%.
The collapsed Engaña Tunnel: a real deathly risk
Túnel de la Engaña is a never-completed railway tunnel with a length of 6.9km (4.28 miles), located in the northern part of Spain. The tunnel was intended to connect the provinces of Burgos and Santander. After the collapse of some parts of the structure in 1999 and 2005, access to the tunnel is extremely dangerous
Boi-Taüll is a wild paved road in the Pyrenees
Boi-Taüll is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.055m (6,742ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the province of Lleida and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.
Traversing the international Bielsa Tunnel in the Pyrenees
Tunel Bielsa-Aragnouet is an international high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 1,820m (5,971ft) above sea level, located on the border of Spain and France.
Base del Teide, one of the most sensational roads of Canary Islands
Base del Teide is a high mountain cable car base station at an elevation of 2.356m (7,729ft) above the sea level, located in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
Traveling the Carretera de la Cabra (Road A-4050)
Located in the Mediterranean coast in the province of Granada, in Andalusia, southern Spain, the A-4050 is one of the most scenic drives in the southern part of the country. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves. This is the old road from the coast to Granada city, locally named Carretera de la Cabra or The Goat's Path.
Peña Cabarga is one of the Spain's toughest cycling climbs
Peña Cabarga is a mountain pass at an elevation of 560m (1,837ft) above the sea level located in the Cantabria region on Spain’s north coast. It’s said to be one of the Spain's toughest cycling climbs.
Monestir de Montserrat is he most iconic climb of Catalonia
Monestir de Montserrat is a Benedictine abbey at an elevation of 1.236m (4,055ft) above the sea level, located on the mountain of Montserrat, in Monistrol de Montserrat, in Catalonia, Spain.
A brutally steep road to Alto del Gamoniteiro
Alto del Gamoniteiro is an isolated and remote high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.776m (5,826ft) above the sea level, located in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain.
The road to Coll de l’Arca is a hidden gem in Catalonia
Coll d’Arca is a mountain pass at an elevation of 605m (1,984ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Baix Penedès, in the province of Tarragona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. The climb is very steep, with sections up to 15%.
Pista de las Cutas, an amazing gravel road surrounding the valley of Ordesa
Pista de las Cutas is one of the most scenic drives in Spain. Located in the northwest of the Sobrarbe region, in Huesca province, Aragon, Spain, bordering France, the road offers spectacular views of Ordesa and Monte Perdido.
Carretera de las Presas (Road GC-605) is not for the faint-hearted
Known as Carretera de las Presas, the GC-605 is a wonderful and scenic dangerous mountain road located in the southwestern part of the island of Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands, Spain. The maximum slope is 10 %.
Peña de Francia, is an otherworldly drive
Peña de Francia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.708m (5,603ft) above the sea level, located south of the city of Salamanca, in the Autonomous Region of Castile and León, Spain.
Port de Cantó, a paved road in the heart of the Pyrenees
Port de Cantó is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.725m (5,659ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees, a range of mountains in southwest Europe, in Alt Urgell zone, Catalonia, Spain.
Driving the curvy TF-12 road in Canary Islands
Located on the island of Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands, the TF-12 road is, probably, one of the most enjoyable routes to cycle in the whole of Spain. This quiet highway cuts through the Anaga mountain range.
A-7000, an enthralling road with 2 pigtails
A-7000 is an awe-inspiring drive through the mountains, located in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. The road features 2 pigtails, turns which loop over their own road, allowing the road to climb rapidly.
A scenic paved road to Puerto de Navafría
Puerto de Navafría is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.775m (5,823ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Castile and Leon and Madrid, in central Spain.
A 5 stars road to the top of Puerto de Santa Inés
Puerto de Santa Inés is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.755m (5,757ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Soria, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in central Spain.
Driving the wild Port de Cabus in the Pyrenees
Port de Cabús is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.308m (7,572ft) above the sea level, located on the Andorran-Spanish border. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
A scenic road to Port-Ainé, in the Pyrenees
Port-Ainé is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.967m (6,453ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida and autonomous community of Catalonia, in northern Spain.
A dirt track to the summit of Pic Negre
Pic Negre is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.643m (8,671ft) above the sea level, located on the Andorran-Spanish border. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
If you love to drive, you will love the Mont Caro road
Mont Caro is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.447m (4,747ft) above the sea level, located in the the Ports de Tortosa-Beseit range, in Catalonia, Spain. The summit is heavily built and partly occupied by big buildings and huge antenna masts. The road to the summit is narrow and dangerous, especially in winters.
Pantà de Cavallers: a steep paved road to the reservoir
Pantà de Cavallers is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.770m (5,807ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Catalonia, Spain.
The inhumane climb to Miradoiro do Ézaro
Mirador de Ézaro is a mountain pass at an elevation of 268m (879ft) above the sea level, located in northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It’s one of the steepest roads that a Spanish bike race has ever tackled where you directly ride against uphill over a huge rock.
A steep paved road to Alto de Lubián
Alto de Lubián is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.681m (5,515ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Zamora, Castile and León, in northern Spain.
Pico Tres Mares, a wild road to the summit
Pico Tres Mares is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.139m (7,017ft) above the sea level, located on the border of the Autonomous Communities of Cantabria and Castile and León, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
A brutal road (20%) to Navapelegrín
Navapelegrín is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.710m (5,610ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Segovia, in the Castilla-La Mancha Autonomous region of central Spain.
Olerdola Castle is a classic road trip
Castell d’Olerdola sits at an elevation of 314m (1,033ft) above the sea level, in the comarca of the Alt Penedès in Catalonia, Spain. The road to the castle is pretty steep, with sections up to 10%.
An old, narrow road full of holes to the top of Los Pelaos
Los Pelaos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.873m (6,145ft) above the sea level, located in the Spanish province of Granada, in the Alpujarra mountains, in the Sierra de Lujar range. The climb is really hard with sections up to 17%. It’s an old, narrow road full of holes. Expect 13 hairpin turns.
Collado El Gavilán, a steep paved road to the summit
Collado El Gavilán is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.517m (4,977ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain.
Col d'Arnostéguy: a mule track to the summit
Col d'Arnostéguy is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.240m (4,068ft) above the sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.
Pista Espinama-Sotres, a Most Tricky Scenic Drive
The Espinama-Sotres, also known as Ruta de la Reconquista, is a very exciting drive in the heart of Picos de Europa National Park, in Northern Spain.
Puerto El Peñón, a delightful yet challenging road to the summit
Puerto El Peñón is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.840m (6,036ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of León and Zamora provinces, in Castile and León, Spain.
Silla de la Yegua: Ultimate 4wd destination
Silla de la Yegua is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.135m (7,004ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of León in the autonomous region of Castile and León, in northern Spain.
Garganta del Cares is one of the most difficult roadsof Spain
Garganta del Cares, also known as Garganta Divina (Divine Throat), is a very narrow canyon located in the province of León, in the northwestern part of the autonomous community of Castile and León of northwestern Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.
A paved road to Estación de Esquí de Aramón Valdelinares
Aramón Valdelinares is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.975m (6,479ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, in the mountainous Aragon region of eastern Spain.
A memorable road trip to Coll dels Reis in Mallorca
Coll dels Reis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 658m (2,158ft) above the sea level, located on the northwest coast of the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca. It’s one of the most visited by cyclists spots on the island.
The road to Aramón Formigal with 10% ramps
Aramón Formigal is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.790m (5,872ft) above the sea level located in the province of Huesca, in Aragon, northeastern Spain.
The road to Lago de Urdiceto is not for the faint of heart
Lago de Urdiceto (Ibón de Urdiceto) is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.380m (7,808ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Ribagorza, province of Huesca, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
The Wild Road to Coll de Triadó
Coll de Triadó is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.172m (7,125ft) above the sea level, located in the municipality of La Torre de Cabdella, in the province of Lleida in the autonomous community of Catalonia, in northern Spain.
Lagos de Covadonga, an iconic Vuelta a España climb
Lagos de Covadonga is the name given to a couple of glacial lakes (Lake Enol and Lake Ercina) ending at an elevation of 1.134m (3,720ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Asturias, in northern Spain. The road is a popular climb in professional road bicycle racing, with ramps up to 15%. It's said to be one of the most beautiful drives of the country.
A rough and bumpy road to Pico de los Reales
Pico Los Reales is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.447m (4,747ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain.
A paved road to Saut deth Pish waterfall
Saut deth Pish is a spectacular waterfall in the valley of Barradòs, in the Val d'Aran, a valley in the Pyrenees mountains in the northwestern part of the province of Lleida, in Catalonia, northern Spain. The fall is located at an elevation of 1.553m (5,095ft) above the sea level.